Maurice, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg

Maurice Moritz von Sachsen, Engern und Westfalen (de)
officially: Duke of Saxony, Angria and Westphalia colloquially: Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg
Joint reign	1581 – 1612
Predecessor	Francis I of Saxe-Lauenburg
Successor	Francis II of Saxe-Lauenburg
House of	Ascania (by birth)
Father	Francis I of Saxe-Lauenburg
Mother	Sybille of Saxe-Freiberg
Religion	Lutheran

Maurice of Saxe-Lauenburg (*1551-1612*) was the fourth son Francis I of Saxe-Lauenburg and Sybille of Saxe-Freiberg (Freiberg, *2 May 1515 – 18 July 1592*, Buxtehude), daughter of Duke Henry IV the Pious of Saxony. Maurice ruled Saxe-Lauenburg as duke between 1581 and 1612, together with his elder brothers Magnus II (until 1588) and Francis II, who survived him.

Life

When in 1571 their father Francis I resigned in favour of his then major sons Magnus II and Francis II, Magnus violently tried to repress his younger brother Francis II, however, failing in the end in 1574. Francis I then reascended the throne.

After their father's death in 1581 the then major Maurice and his elder brothers Magnus II and Francis II jointly ruled as dukes in Saxe-Lauenburg. However, in 1588 Francis II and Maurice imprisoned Magnus II in Ratzeburg's castle for his repeated atrocities and continued their joint rule without him.